Improvement in fire-proof buildings



1". v. Muss; Fire-Proof Buildings. 910,157,620, Patented Dec.8,1874.

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UNITED STATES PATENT Drmon.

JOE V. MEIGS, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT-IN FIRE-PROOF BUILDINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,620, dated December 8, 1874; application tiled April 1, 1873.

OAsE A.

i To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OE V. MEIGS, of Lowell, Massachusetts, have invented certain 1mprovemeuts in the Art of Constructing Buildings, of which the following is a specification:

The first part of my invention consists in constructing laths of narrow strips of thin sheet metal corrugated transversely, and securing them to walls and ceilings in such manner as to break jointsthat is, to have the ridges of one strip opposite the furrows of the adjacent strips, thus leaving crevices, into which the plaster is forced when applied, and forming a key for securely attaching it to the laths.

The second part of my invention consists in constructing floors double or of two thicknesses of planks, with strips of metal or wood interposed between them, and the interstices filled with plaster, thus deadening sound, securing warmth, and rendering buildings, to a certain extent, fire-proof.

The accompanying drawing shows a vie in perspective of so much of a building as is necessary to illustrate my invention.

To carry out myinvention, I corrugate thin strips a of metal, and attach them to beams or joists A, and plaster them as other laths are plastered. The joists are covered by boards B. Strips b of metal, or blocks 1) of wood, are laid upon these boards, and covered with mortar or plaster. The flooring O is y then laid in the usual way upon this bed and fastened upon the strips.

Such a flooring is practically fire-proof, and not expensive. The ceiling and joists may be partially burned and still leave the floor unconsumed; and it is strong enough to uphold itself without the joists. So, in like manner, the upper floor may be burned without igniting the joists or allowing fire to fall into the room below.

It will be observed that the metal strips I) extend entirely through the plaster filling, and this is not objectionable in practice. The wooden blocks 12, however, when employed, are either made triangular in cross-section, or of a depth less than that of the plaster, thus preventing fire from communicating through the strips. The top and bottom planks are fastened together by nails long enough to pass through each and through the layer of plaster or asbestus.

I claim- 1. Laths constructedof narrow stripsof thin sheet metal corrugated transversely, and arranged side by side so as to break joints, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The floor constructed, as set forth, of double planking, interposed supporting-blocks, and plaster, for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOE v. Mares,

Witnesses:

J os. I. PEYTON, BA Trs DE LONG. 

